David K. Winter

Went to be with the Lord he so dearly loved in the early morning hours of August 15, 2015 at the age of 84. He was born September 15, 1930 in S. Pasadena to Otto and Hazel Winter.

Dave's greatest hope for his life was that God be glorified in him. All who had the pleasure of knowing Dave will attest that God indeed was glorified by this humble servant's kindness, wisdom, and grace. He embodied hope and love, identifying traits in people and calling them to areas of service they otherwise would not have attempted without his encouragement.

Dave served in the U.S. Navy for four years as an air intelligence officer and earned a bachelor's and a master's degree from UCLA and a doctorate in anthropology and sociology from Michigan State University (MSU). Under a Ford Foundation grant, he conducted anthropological field work in Lahore, Pakistan, for 18 months. He taught at Wheaton College in Illinois, Calvin College in Michigan, and earned tenure as a professor at MSU. In 1970, he became the academic vice president at Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington, rising to executive vice president in three years. In July 1976 he returned to his native Southern California to serve as president of Westmont from 1976-2001 and returning as interim president and chancellor in 2006-07.

Under his leadership, Westmont became a nationally ranked liberal arts college. He helped strengthen the quality of the faculty and students, facilities on campus, student life and outreach programs, the endowment, and off-campus study opportunities.

In 1998, Dave suffered sudden-onset blindness. Never one to complain, he quickly adapted to his condition, relying on his excellent memory when speaking and leading meetings.

After his second retirement from Westmont, Dave began serving Providence, a new college-preparatory school in Santa Barbara, first as a board member, then as headmaster from 2008-2011, and then again as a board member until the time of his death. Providence grew under Dr. Winter's leadership into a flourishing, comprehensive preschool through high school institution. The school awarded him the inaugural "David K. Winter Excellence in Education Award" in 2014.

Famously known for saying, "If you want to change the world, join a committee!" Dave touched countless lives through his service in many local organizations. He served on numerous boards, including Cottage Health System, the United Way Campaign, the Mosher Foundation, Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce, Montecito Association, Montecito Rotary Club, Santa Barbara Industry Education Council, Cottage Hospital, Oaks Christian High School, Providence, Network Medical, Independent Colleges of Southern California, Christian College Coalition, Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, Braille Institute, Young Life, Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, Habitat for Humanity, Senior Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Council on Higher Education in Washington, D.C. The Santa Barbara News-Press honored him with their 1998 Lifetime Achievement Award. He was honored with the Distinguished Community Service Award by the Anti-Defamation League and the Santa Barbara B'Nai B'rith Lodge.

David Winter is survived by his beloved wife of 27 years, Helene Eaton Winter, his true partner in every sense of the word, and his three children, Laura Winter, Frankie Winter, and Bruce Winter, and Helene's children, Stacey (Shaun) Smith, Stephen (Amy) Kamm, and Jeremy (Kirsten) Kamm and 11 grandchildren. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on August 29 at 10:00 am at First Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in David Winter's memory to Providence, SBCS (630 E. Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara 93103; providencesb.org).